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General Tattoo Information
Defining a Tattoo
By Indiana Law, a tattoo is:
- Any indelible design, letter, scroll, figure, symbol, or other mark placed with the aid of needles or other instruments; or
- Any design, letter, scroll, figure, symbol done by scarring on or under the skin. Facial tattooing, i.e. permanent make-up or body art, is an invasive procedure and considered a tattoo. Examples include eyebrow pencil, lip liner, eyeliner or blush that look like make-up.
Laws Governing Tattoos in Indiana
In 1997, Indiana Code 16-19-3-4.1 required the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) to adopt rules to regulate the sanitary operation of tattoo parlors. The rule, 410 IAC 1-5, became law on June 12, 1998, and was readopted July 15, 2010.
The following are some requirements of the tattoo / piercing law:
- All needles must be sterile and designed for single use
- All tattooists / piercers must receive yearly training concerning how diseases are spread by contact with blood
- Gloves or other appropriate personal protection must be worn when performing tattooing procedures and when handling blood
- Infectious waste must be handled properly according to Indiana law
- Reusable tubes must be sterilized
- To receive a tattoo, anyone under 18 years of age must be accompanied by, and have written permission from, a parent or legal guardian
Risks of Tattoos
Specific risks include:
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